LITERARYATHEISTS。
TheliterarycabalhadsomeyearsagoformedsomethinglikearegularplanforthedestructionoftheChristianreligion。Thisobjecttheypursuedwithadegreeofzealwhichhithertohadbeendiscoveredonlyinthepropagatorsofsomesystemofpiety。Theywerepossessedwithaspiritofproselytisminthemostfanaticaldegree;andfromthence，byaneasyprogress，withthespiritofpersecutionaccordingtotheirmeans。Whatwasnottobedonetowardstheirgreatendbyanydirectorimmediateact，mightbewroughtbyalongerprocessthroughthemediumofopinion。Tocommandthatopinion，thefirststepistoestablishadominionoverthosewhodirectit。Theycontrivedtopossessthemselves，withgreatmethodandperseverance，ofalltheavenuestoliteraryfame。Manyofthemindeedstoodhighintheranksofliteratureandscience。Theworldhaddonethemjustice;andinfavourofgeneraltalentsforgavetheeviltendencyoftheirpeculiarprinciples。Thiswastrueliberality;whichtheyreturnedbyendeavouringtoconfinethereputationofsense，learning，andtastetothemselvesortheirfollowers。Iwillventuretosaythatthisnarrow，exclusivespirithasnotbeenlessprejudicialtoliteratureandtotaste，thantomoralsandtruephilosophy。Thoseatheisticalfathershaveabigotryoftheirown;
andtheyhavelearnttotalkagainstmonkswiththespiritofamonk。
Butinsomethingstheyaremenoftheworld。Theresourcesofintriguearecalledintosupplythedefectsofargumentandwit。Tothissystemofliterarymonopolywasjoinedanunremittingindustrytoblackenanddiscreditineveryway，andbyeverymeans，allthosewhodidnotholdtotheirfaction。Tothosewhohaveobservedthespiritoftheirconduct，ithaslongbeenclearthatnothingwaswantedbutthepowerofcarryingtheintoleranceofthetongueandofthepenintoapersecutionwhichwouldstrikeatproperty，liberty，andlife。
Thedesultoryandfaintpersecutioncarriedonagainstthem，morefromcompliancewithformanddecency，thanwithseriousresentment，neitherweakenedtheirstrength，norrelaxedtheirefforts。Theissueofthewholewas，that，whatwithopposition，andwhatwithsuccess，aviolentandmalignantzeal，ofakindhithertounknownintheworld，hadtakenanentirepossessionoftheirminds，andrenderedtheirwholeconversation，whichotherwisewouldhavebeenpleasingandinstructive，perfectlydisgusting。Aspiritofcabal，intrigue，andproselytism，pervadedalltheirthoughts，words，andactions。And，ascontroversialzealsoonturnsitsthoughtsonforce，theybegantoinsinuatethemselvesintoacorrespondencewithforeignprinces;inhopes，throughtheirauthority，whichatfirsttheyflattered，theymightbringaboutthechangestheyhadinview。Tothemitwasindifferentwhetherthesechangesweretobeaccomplishedbythethunderboltofdespotism，orbytheearthquakeofpopularcommotion。ThecorrespondencebetweenthiscabalandthelatekingofPrussia，willthrownosmalllightuponthespiritofalltheirproceedings。Forthesamepurposeforwhichtheyintriguedwithprinces，theycultivated，inadistinguishedmanner，themoniedinterestofFrance;andpartlythroughthemeansfurnishedbythosewhosepeculiarofficesgavethemthemostextensiveandcertainmeansofcommunication，theycarefullyoccupiedalltheavenuestoopinion。
Writers，especiallywhentheyactinabody，andwithonedirection，havegreatinfluenceonthepublicmind;thealliance，therefore，ofthesewriterswiththemoniedinterest，hadnosmalleffectinremovingthepopularodiumandenvywhichattendedthatspeciesofwealth。Thesewriters，likethepropagatorsofallnovelties，pretendedtoagreatzealforthepoor，andthelowerorders，whilstintheirsatirestheyrenderedhateful，byeveryexaggeration，thefaultsofcourts，ofnobility，andofpriesthood。Theybecameasortofdemagogues。Theyservedasalinktounite，infavourofoneobject，obnoxiouswealthtorestlessanddesperatepoverty。
CITYOFPARIS。
ThesecondmaterialofcementfortheirnewrepublicisthesuperiorityofthecityofParis：andthisIadmitisstronglyconnectedwiththeothercementingprincipleofpapercirculationandconfiscation。Itisinthispartoftheprojectwemustlookforthecauseofthedestructionofalltheoldboundsofprovincesandjurisdictions，ecclesiasticalandsecular，andthedissolutionofallancientcombinationsofthings，aswellastheformationofsomanysmallunconnectedrepublics。ThepowerofthecityofParisisevidentlyonegreatspringofalltheirpolitics。ItisthroughthepowerofParis，nowbecomethecentreandfocusofjobbing，thattheleadersofthisfactiondirect，orrathercommand，thewholelegislativeandthewholeexecutivegovernment。Everythingthereforemustbedonewhichcanconfirmtheauthorityofthatcityovertheotherrepublics。Parisiscompact;shehasanenormousstrength，whollydisproportionedtotheforceofanyofthesquarerepublics;
andthisstrengthiscollectedandcondensedwithinanarrowcompass。
Parishasanaturalandeasyconnectionofitsparts，whichwillnotbeaffectedbyanyschemeofageometricalconstitution，nordoesitmuchsignifywhetheritsproportionofrepresentationbemoreorless，sinceithasthewholedraftoffishesinitsdrag-net。Theotherdivisionsofthekingdombeinghackledandtorntopieces，andseparatedfromalltheirhabitualmeans，andevenprinciplesofunion，cannot，forsometimeatleast，confederateagainsther。
Nothingwastobeleftinallthesubordinatemembers，butweakness，disconnection，andconfusion。Toconfirmthispartoftheplan，theAssemblyhaslatelycometoaresolution，thatnotwooftheirrepublicsshallhavethesamecommander-in-chief。
Toapersonwhotakesaviewofthewhole，thestrengthofParis，thusformed，willappearasystemofgeneralweakness。Itisboastedthatthegeometricalpolicyhasbeenadopted，thatalllocalideasshouldbesunk，andthatthepeopleshouldbenolongerGascons，Picards，Bretons，Normans;butFrenchmen，withonecountry，oneheart，andoneAssembly。
ButinsteadofbeingallFrenchmen，thegreaterlikelihoodis，thattheinhabitantsofthatregionwillshortlyhavenocountry。Nomaneverwasattachedbyasenseofpride，partiality，orrealaffection，toadescriptionofsquaremeasurements。HeneverwillgloryinbelongingtotheChequerNo。71，ortoanyotherbadge-ticket。Webeginourpublicaffectionsinourfamilies。Nocoldrelationisazealouscitizen。Wepassontoourneighbourhoods，andourhabitualprovincialconnections。
Theseareinnsandresting-places。Suchdivisionsofourcountryashavebeenformedbyhabit，andnotbyasuddenjerkofauthority，weresomanylittleimagesofthegreatcountryinwhichtheheartfoundsomethingwhichitcouldfill。Thelovetothewholeisnotextinguishedbythissubordinatepartiality。Perhapsitisasortofelementaltrainingtothosehigherandmorelargeregards，bywhichalonemencometobeaffected，aswiththeirownconcern，intheprosperityofakingdomsoextensiveasthatofFrance。Inthatgeneralterritoryitself，asintheoldnameofprovinces，thecitizensareinterestedfromoldprejudicesandunreasonedhabits，andnotonaccountofthegeometricpropertiesofitsfigure。Thepowerandpre-eminenceofParisdoescertainlypressdownandholdtheserepublicstogetheraslongasitlasts。But，forthereasonsIhavealreadygivenyou，Ithinkitcannotlastverylong。
PRINCIPLEOFCHURCHPROPERTY。
Whyshouldtheexpenditureofagreatlandedproperty，whichisadispersionofthesurplusproductofthesoil，appearintolerabletoyouortome，whenittakesitscoursethroughtheaccumulationofvastlibraries，whicharethehistoryoftheforceandweaknessofthehumanmind;throughgreatcollectionsofancientrecords，medals，andcoins，whichattestandexplainlawsandcustoms;throughpaintingsandstatues，that，byimitatingnature，seemtoextendthelimitsofcreation;throughgrandmonumentsofthedead，whichcontinuetheregardsandconnectionsoflifebeyondthegrave;
throughcollectionsofthespecimensofnature，whichbecomearepresentativeassemblyofalltheclassesandfamiliesoftheworld，thatbydispositionfacilitate，and，byexcitingcuriosity，opentheavenuestoscience？Ifbygreatpermanentestablishments，alltheseobjectsofexpensearebettersecuredfromtheinconstantsportofpersonalcapriceandpersonalextravagance，aretheyworsethanifthesametastesprevailedinscatteredindividuals？Doesnotthesweatofthemasonandcarpenter，whotoilinordertopartakethesweatofthepeasant，flowaspleasantlyandassalubriously，intheconstructionandrepairofthemajesticedificesofreligion，asinthepaintedboothsandsordidstiesofviceandluxury;ashonourablyandasprofitablyinrepairingthosesacredworks，whichgrowhoarywithinnumerableyears，asonthemomentaryreceptaclesoftransientvoluptuousness;inopera-houses，andbrothels，andgaming-houses，andclub-houses，andobelisksintheChampdeMars？Isthesurplusproductoftheoliveandthevineworseemployedinthefrugalsustenanceofpersons，whomthefictionsofapiousimaginationraisetodignitybyconstruingintheserviceofGod，thaninpamperingtheinnumerablemultitudeofthosewhoaredegradedbybeingmadeuselessdomestics，subservienttotheprideofman？Arethedecorationsoftemplesanexpenditurelessworthyawiseman，thanribbons，andlaces，andnationalcockades，andpetitesmaisons，andpetitssoupers，andalltheinnumerablefopperiesandfollies，inwhichopulencesportsawaytheburthenofitssuperfluity？
Wetolerateeventhese;notfromloveofthem，butforfearofworse。Wetoleratethem，becausepropertyandliberty，toadegree，acquirethattoleration。Butwhyproscribetheother，andsurely，ineverypointofview，themorelaudableuseofestates？Why，throughtheviolationofallproperty，throughanoutrageuponeveryprincipleofliberty，forciblycarrythemfromthebettertotheworse？
Thiscomparisonbetweenthenewindividualsandtheoldcorps，ismadeuponasuppositionthatnoreformcouldbemadeinthelatter。But，inaquestionofreformation，Ialwaysconsidercorporatebodies，whethersoleorconsistingofmany，tobemuchmoresusceptibleofapublicdirectionbythepowerofthestate，intheuseoftheirproperty，andintheregulationofmodesandhabitsoflifeintheirmembers，thanprivatecitizensevercanbe，orperhapsoughttobe：andthisseemstomeaverymaterialconsiderationforthosewhoundertakeanythingwhichmeritsthenameofapoliticenterprise。Sofarastotheestatesofmonasteries。
Withregardtotheestatespossessedbybishopsandcanons，andcommendatoryabbots，Icannotfindoutforwhatreasonsomelandedestatesmaynotbeheldotherwisethanbyinheritance。Cananyphilosophicspoilerundertaketodemonstratethepositiveorthecomparativeevilofhavingacertain，andthattooalarge，portionoflandedproperty，passinginsuccessionthroughpersonswhosetitletoitis，alwaysintheory，andoften，infact，aneminentdegreeofpiety，morals，andlearning;aproperty，which，byitsdestination，intheirturn，andonthescoreofmerit，givestothenoblestfamiliesrenovationandsupport，tothelowestthemeansofdignityandelevation;apropertythetenuretowhichistheperformanceofsomeduty(whatevervalueyoumaychoosetosetuponthatduty)，andthecharacterofwhoseproprietorsdemands，atleast，anexteriordecorum，andgravityofmanners;whoaretoexerciseagenerousbuttemperatehospitality;partofwhoseincometheyaretoconsiderasatrustforcharity;andwho，evenwhentheyfailintheirtrust，whentheyslidefromtheircharacter，anddegenerateintoamerecommonsecularnoblemanorgentleman，areinnorespectworsethanthosewhomaysucceedthemintheirforfeitedpossessions？Isitbetterthatestatesshouldbeheldbythosewhohavenoduty，thanbythosewhohaveone？——bythosewhosecharacteranddestinationpointtovirtues，thanbythosewhohavenoruleanddirectionintheexpenditureoftheirestatesbuttheirownwillandappetite？Noraretheseestatesheldaltogetherinthecharacterorwiththeevilssupposedinherentinmortmain。Theypassfromhandtohandwithamorerapidcirculationthananyother。Noexcessisgood;andthereforetoogreataproportionoflandedpropertymaybeheldofficiallyforlife：butitdoesnotseemtomeofmaterialinjurytoanycommonwealth，thatthereshouldexistsomeestatesthathaveachanceofbeingacquiredbyothermeansthanthepreviousacquisitionofmoney。
PARSIMONYNOTECONOMY。
Ibegleavetotellhim，thatmereparsimonyisnoteconomy。Itisseparableintheoryfromit;andinfactitmay，oritmaynot，beaPARTofeconomy，accordingtocircumstances。Expense，andgreatexpense，maybeanessentialpartintrueeconomy。Ifparsimonyweretobeconsideredasoneofthekindsofthatvirtue，thereis，however，anotherandahighereconomy。Economyisadistributivevirtue，andconsistsnotinsaving，butinselection。Parsimonyrequiresnoprovidence，nosagacity，nopowersofcombination，nocomparison，nojudgment。Mereinstinct，andthatnotaninstinctofthenoblestkind，mayproducethisfalseeconomyinperfection。Theothereconomyhaslargerviews。Itdemandsadiscriminatingjudgment，andafirm，sagaciousmind。Itshutsonedoortoimpudentimportunity，onlytoopenanother，andawider，tounpresumingmerit。Ifnonebutmeritoriousserviceorrealtalentweretoberewarded，thisnationhasnotwanted，andthisnationwillnotwant，themeansofrewardingalltheserviceiteverwillreceive，andencouragingallthemerititeverwillproduce。
Nostate，sincethefoundationofsociety，hasbeenimpoverishedbythatspeciesofprofusion。Hadtheeconomyofselectionandproportionbeenatalltimesobserved，weshouldnotnowhavehadanovergrowndukeofBedford，tooppresstheindustryofhumblemen，andtolimit，bythestandardofhisownconceptions，thejustice，thebounty，or，ifhepleases，thecharityofthecrown。
MAJESTYOFTHEBRITISHCONSTITUTION。
IwishmycountrymenrathertorecommendtoourneighbourstheexampleoftheBritishconstitution，thantotakemodelsfromthemfortheimprovementofourown。Intheformertheyhavegotaninvaluabletreasure。Theyarenot，Ithink，withoutsomecausesofapprehensionandcomplaint;butthesetheydonotowetotheirconstitution，buttotheirownconduct。Ithinkourhappysituationowingtoourconstitution;butowingtothewholeofit，andnottoanypartsingly;owing，inagreatmeasure，towhatwehaveleftstandinginourseveralreviewsandreformations，aswellastowhatwehavealteredorsuperadded。Ourpeoplewillfindemploymentenoughforatrulypatriotic，free，andindependentspirit，inguardingwhattheypossessfromviolation。I
wouldnotexcludealterationneither;butevenwhenIchanged，itshouldbetopreserve。Ishouldbeledtomyremedybyagreatgrievance。InwhatIdid，Ishouldfollowtheexampleofourancestors。Iwouldmakethereparationasnearlyaspossibleinthestyleofthebuilding。A
politiccaution，aguardedcircumspection，amoralratherthanacomplexionaltimidity，wereamongtherulingprinciplesofourforefathersintheirmostdecidedconduct。NotbeingilluminatedwiththelightofwhichthegentlemenofFrancetellustheyhavegotsoabundantashare，theyactedunderastrongimpressionoftheignoranceandfallibilityofmankind。Hethathadmadethemthusfallible，rewardedthemforhavingintheirconductattendedtotheirnature。Letusimitatetheircaution，ifwewishtodeservetheirfortune，ortoretaintheirbequests。Letusadd，ifweplease，butletuspreservewhattheyhaveleft;and，standingonthefirmgroundoftheBritishconstitution，letusbesatisfiedtoadmire，ratherthanattempttofollowintheirdesperateflightstheaeronautsofFrance。
Ihavetoldyoucandidlymysentiments。Ithinktheyarenotlikelytoalteryours。Idonotknowthattheyought。Youareyoung;youcannotguide，butmustfollowthefortuneofyourcountry。Buthereaftertheymaybeofsomeusetoyou，insomefutureformwhichyourcommonwealthmaytake。Inthepresentitcanhardlyremain;butbeforeitsfinalsettlementitmaybeobligedtopass，asoneofourpoetssays，“throughgreatvarietiesofuntriedbeing，“andinallitstransmigrationstobepurifiedbyfireandblood。
DUTYNOTBASEDONWILL。
Icannottoooftenrecommendittotheseriousconsiderationofallmen，whothinkcivilsocietytobewithintheprovinceofmoraljurisdiction，thatifweowetoitanyduty，itisnotsubjecttoourwill。Dutiesarenotvoluntary。Dutyandwillareevencontradictoryterms。Now，thoughcivilsocietymightbeatfirstavoluntaryact(whichinmanycasesitundoubtedlywas)，itscontinuanceisunderapermanent，standingcovenant，co-existingwiththesociety;anditattachesuponeveryindividualofthatsociety，withoutanyformalactofhisown。Thisiswarrantedbythegeneralpractice，arisingoutofthegeneralsenseofmankind。Menwithouttheirchoicederivebenefitsfromthatassociation;withouttheirchoicetheyaresubjectedtodutiesinconsequenceofthesebenefits;andwithouttheirchoicetheyenterintoavirtualobligationasbindingasanythatisactual。Lookthroughthewholeoflifeandthewholesystemofduties。Muchthestrongestmoralobligationsaresuchaswerenevertheresultsofouroption。Iallow，thatifnosupremerulerexists，wisetoform，andpotenttoenforce，themorallaw，thereisnosanctiontoanycontract，virtualorevenactual，againstthewillofprevalentpower。Onthathypothesis，letanysetofmenbestrongenoughtosettheirdutiesatdefiance，andtheyceasetobedutiesanylonger。Wehavebutthisoneappealagainstirresistiblepower——
“Sigenushumanumetmortaliatemnitisarma，AtsperateDeosmemoresfandiatquenefandi。”
TakingitforgrantedthatIdonotwritetothedisciplesoftheParisianphilosophy，Imayassume，thattheawfulAuthorofourbeingistheAuthorofourplaceintheorderofexistence;andthat，havingdisposedandmarshalledusbyadivinetactic，notaccordingtoourwill，butaccordingtohis，hehas，inandbythatdisposition，virtuallysubjectedustoactthepartwhichbelongstotheplaceassignedus。Wehaveobligationstomankindatlarge，whicharenotinconsequenceofanyspecialvoluntarypact。Theyarisefromtherelationofmantoman，andtherelationofmantoGod，whichrelationsarenotmattersofchoice。Onthecontrary，theforceofallthepactswhichweenterintowithanyparticularperson，ornumberofpersons，amongstmankind，dependsuponthosepriorobligations。Insomecasesthesubordinaterelationsarevoluntary，inotherstheyarenecessary——butthedutiesareallcompulsive。Whenwemarry，thechoiceisvoluntary，butthedutiesarenotmatterofchoice。Theyaredictatedbythenatureofthesituation。Darkandinscrutablearethewaysbywhichwecomeintotheworld。Theinstinctswhichgiverisetothismysteriousprocessofnaturearenotofourmaking。Butoutofphysicalcauses，unknowntous，perhapsunknowable，arisemoralduties，which，asweareableperfectlytocomprehend，weareboundindispensablytoperform。Parentsmaynotbeconsentingtotheirmoralrelation;butconsentingornot，theyareboundtoalongtrainofburthensomedutiestowardsthosewithwhomtheyhavenevermadeaconventionofanysort。Childrenarenotconsentingtotheirrelation，buttheirrelation，withouttheiractualconsent，bindsthemtoitsduties;orratheritimpliestheirconsent，becausethepresumedconsentofeveryrationalcreatureisinunisonwiththepredisposedorderofthings。Mencomeinthatmannerintoacommunitywiththesocialstateoftheirparents，endowedwithallthebenefits，loadedwithalltheduties，oftheirsituation。Ifthesocialtiesandligaments，spunoutofthosephysicalrelationswhicharetheelementsofthecommonwealth，inmostcasesbegin，andalwaycontinue，independentlyofourwill，so，withoutanystipulationonourownpart，areweboundbythatrelationcalledourcountry，whichcomprehends(asithasbeenwellsaid)“allthecharitiesofall。”Norareweleftwithoutpowerfulinstinctstomakethisdutyasdearandgratefultous，asitisawfulandcoercive。Itconsists，inagreatmeasure，intheancientorderintowhichweareborn。Wemayhavethesamegeographicalsituation，butanothercountry;aswemayhavethesamecountryinanothersoil。Theplacethatdeterminesourdutytoourcountryisasocial，civilrelation。
ECCLESIASTICALCONFISCATION。
Theconfiscatorstrulyhavemadesomeallowancetotheirvictimsfromthescrapsandfragmentsoftheirowntables，fromwhichtheyhavebeensoharshlydriven，andwhichhavebeensobountifullyspreadforafeasttotheharpiesofusury。Buttodrivemenfromindependencetoliveonalmsisitselfgreatcruelty。Thatwhichmightbeatolerableconditiontomeninonestateoflife，andnothabituatedtootherthings，may，whenallthesecircumstancesarealtered，beadreadfulrevolution;andonetowhichavirtuousmindwouldfeelpainincondemninganyguilt，exceptthatwhichwoulddemandthelifeoftheoffender。ButtomanymindsthispunishmentofDEGRADATIONandINFAMYisworsethandeath。Undoubtedlyitisaninfiniteaggravationofthiscruelsuffering，thatthepersonswhoweretaughtadoubleprejudiceinfavourofreligion，byeducationandbytheplacetheyheldintheadministrationofitsfunctions，aretoreceivetheremnantsofthepropertyasalmsfromtheprofaneandimpioushandsofthosewhohadplunderedthemofalltherest;toreceive(iftheyareatalltoreceive)notfromthecharitablecontributionsofthefaithful，butfromtheinsolenttendernessofknownandavowedatheism，themaintenanceofreligion，measuredouttothemonthestandardofthecontemptinwhichitisheld;andforthepurposeofrenderingthosewhoreceivetheallowancevile，andofnoestimation，intheeyesofmankind。
Butthisactofseizureofproperty，itseems，isajudgmentinlaw，andnotaconfiscation。Theyhave，itseems，foundoutintheacademiesofthePalaisRoyalandtheJacobins，thatcertainmenhadnorighttothepossessionswhichtheyheldunderlaw，usage，thedecisionsofcourts，andtheaccumulatedprescriptionofathousandyears。Theysaythatecclesiasticsarefictitiouspersons，creaturesofthestate，whomatpleasuretheymaydestroy，andofcourselimitandmodifyineveryparticular;thatthegoodstheypossessarenotproperlytheirs，butbelongtothestatewhichcreatedthefiction;andwearethereforenottotroubleourselveswithwhattheymaysufferintheirnaturalfeelingsandnaturalpersons，onaccountofwhatisdonetowardstheminthistheirconstructivecharacter。Ofwhatimportisitunderwhatnamesyouinjuremen，anddeprivethemofthejustemolumentsofaprofession，inwhichtheywerenotonlypermittedbutencouragedbythestatetoengage;anduponthesupposedcertaintyofwhichemolumentstheyhadformedtheplanoftheirlives，contracteddebts，andledmultitudestoanentiredependenceuponthem？
Youdonotimagine，sir，thatIamgoingtocomplimentthismiserabledistinctionofpersonswithanylongdiscussion。Theargumentsoftyrannyareascontemptibleasitsforceisdreadful。Hadnotyourconfiscators，bytheirearlycrimes，obtainedapowerwhichsecuresindemnitytoallthecrimesofwhichtheyhavesincebeenguilty，orthattheycancommit，itisnotthesyllogismofthelogician，butthelashoftheexecutioner，thatwouldhaverefutedasophistrywhichbecomesanaccompliceoftheftandmurder。ThesophistictyrantsofParisareloudintheirdeclamationsagainstthedepartedregaltyrants，whoinformerageshavevexedtheworld。Theyarethusbold，becausetheyaresafefromthedungeonsandironcagesoftheiroldmasters。
Shallwebemoretenderofthetyrantsofourowntime，whenweseethemactingworsetragediesunderoureyes？shallwenotusethesamelibertythattheydo，whenwecanuseitwiththesamesafety？whentospeakhonesttruthonlyrequiresacontemptoftheopinionofthosewhoseactionsweabhor？
MORALOFHISTORY。
Wedonotdrawthemorallessonswemightfromhistory。Onthecontrary，withoutcareitmaybeusedtovitiateourmindsandtodestroyourhappiness。Inhistoryagreatvolumeisunrolledforourinstruction，drawingthematerialsoffuturewisdomfromthepasterrorsandinfirmitiesofmankind。Itmay，intheperversion，serveforamagazine，furnishingoffensiveanddefensiveweaponsforpartiesinchurchandstate，andsupplyingthemeansofkeepingalive，orreviving，dissensionsandanimosities，andaddingfueltocivilfury。Historyconsists，forthegreaterpart，ofthemiseriesbroughtupontheworldbypride，ambition，avarice，revenge，lust，sedition，hypocrisy，ungovernedzeal，andallthetrainofdisorderlyappetiteswhichshakethepublicwiththesame，——“troublousstormsthattossTheprivatestate，andrenderlifeunsweet。”
ThesevicesaretheCAUSESofthosestorms。Religion，morals，laws，prerogatives，privileges，liberties，rightsofmen，arethePRETEXTS。
Thepretextsarealwaysfoundinsomespeciousappearanceofarealgood。Youwouldnotsecuremenfromtyrannyandsedition，byrootingoutofthemindtheprinciplestowhichthesefraudulentpretextsapply？Ifyoudid，youwouldrootouteverythingthatisvaluableinthehumanbreast。Asthesearethepretexts，sotheordinaryactorsandinstrumentsingreatpublicevilsarekings，priests，magistrates，senates，parliaments，nationalassemblies，judges，andcaptains。Youwouldnotcuretheevilbyresolvingthatthereshouldbenomoremonarchs，norministersofstate，norofthegospel;nointerpretersoflaw;nogeneralofficers;nopubliccouncils。Youmightchangethenames。Thethingsinsomeshapemustremain。Acertainquantumofpowermustalwaysexistinthecommunity，insomehands，andundersomeappellation。Wisemenwillapplytheirremediestovices，nottonames;
tothecausesofevilwhicharepermanent，nottotheoccasionalorgansbywhichtheyact，andthetransitorymodesinwhichtheyappear。
Otherwiseyouwillbewisehistorically，——afoolinpractice。Seldomhavetwoagesthesamefashionintheirpretextsandthesamemodesofmischief。Wickednessisalittlemoreinventive。Whilstyouarediscussingfashion，thefashionisgoneby。Theverysameviceassumesanewbody。Thespirittransmigrates;and，farfromlosingitsprincipleoflifebythechangeofitsappearance，itisrenovatedinitsneworganswiththefreshvigourofajuvenileactivity。Itwalksabroad，itcontinuesitsravages，whilstyouaregibbetingthecarcase，ordemolishingthetomb。Youareterrifyingyourselveswithghostsandapparitions，whilstyourhouseisthehauntofrobbers。Itisthuswithallthosewho，attendingonlytotheshellandhuskofhistory，thinktheyarewagingwarwithintolerance，pride，andcruelty，whilst，undercolourofabhorringtheillprinciplesofantiquatedparties，theyareauthorizingandfeedingthesameodiousvicesindifferentfactions，andperhapsinworse。
USEOFDEFECTSINHISTORY。
NotthatIderogatefromtheuseofhistory。Itisagreatimproveroftheunderstanding，byshowingbothmenandaffairsinagreatvarietyofviews。Fromthissourcemuchpoliticalwisdommaybelearned;thatis，maybelearnedashabit，notasprecept;andasanexercisetostrengthenthemind，asfurnishingmaterialstoenlargeandenrichit，notasarepertoryofcasesandprecedentsforalawyer：ifitwere，athousandtimesbetterwoulditbethatastatesmanhadneverlearnedtoread——vellemnescirentliteras。Thismethodturnstheirunderstandingfromtheobjectbeforethem，andfromthepresentexigenciesoftheworld，tocomparisonswithformertimes，ofwhich，afterall，wecanknowverylittle，andveryimperfectly;andourguides，thehistorians，whoaretogiveustheirtrueinterpretation，areoftenprejudiced，oftenignorant，oftenfonderofsystemthanoftruth。Whereas，ifamanwithreasonablygoodpartsandnaturalsagacity，andnotintheleading-stringsofanymaster，willlooksteadilyonthebusinessbeforehim，withoutbeingdivertedbyretrospectandcomparison，hemaybecapableofformingareasonablygoodjudgmentofwhatistobedone。Therearesomefundamentalpointsinwhichnatureneverchanges——buttheyarefewandobvious，andbelongrathertomoralsthantopolitics。Butsofarasregardspoliticalmatter，thehumanmindandhumanaffairsaresusceptibleofinfinitemodifications，andofcombinationswhollynewandunlookedfor。Veryfew，forinstance，couldhaveimaginedthatproperty，whichhasbeentakenfornaturaldominion，should，throughthewholeofavastkingdom，loseallitsimportanceandevenitsinfluence。Thisiswhathistoryorbooksofspeculationcouldhardlyhavetaughtus。Howmanycouldhavethought，thatthemostcompleteandformidablerevolutioninagreatempireshouldbemadebymenofletters，notassubordinateinstrumentsandtrumpetersofsedition，butasthechiefcontriversandmanagers，andinashorttimeastheopenadministratorsandsovereignrulers？Whocouldhaveimaginedthatatheismcouldproduceoneofthemostviolentlyoperativeprinciplesoffanaticism？Whocouldhaveimaginedthat，inacommonwealthinamannercradledinwar，andinextensiveanddreadfulwar，militarycommandersshouldbeoflittleornoaccount？
ThattheConventionshouldnotcontainonemilitarymanofname？Thatadministrativebodiesinastateoftheutmostconfusion，andofbutamomentaryduration，andcomposedofmenwithnotoneimposingpartofcharacter，shouldbeabletogovernthecountryanditsarmieswithanauthoritywhichthemostsettledsenates，andthemostrespectedmonarchs，scarcelyeverhadinthesamedegree？This，forone，IconfessIdidnotforesee，thoughalltherestwaspresenttomeveryearly，andnotoutofmyapprehensionevenforseveralyears。
SOCIALCONTRACT。
Societyisindeedacontract。Subordinatecontractsforobjectsofmereoccasionalinterestmaybedissolvedatpleasure——butthestateoughtnottobeconsiderednothingbetterthanapartnershipagreementinatradeofpepperandcoffee，calicoortobacco，orsomeothersuchlowconcern，tobetakenupforalittletemporaryinterest，andtobedissolvedbythefancyoftheparties。Itistobelookedonwithotherreverence;becauseitisnotapartnershipinthingssubservientonlytothegrossanimalexistenceofatemporaryandperishablenature。Itisapartnershipinallscience;apartnershipinallart;apartnershipineveryvirtue，andinallperfection。Astheendsofsuchapartnershipcannotbeobtainedinmanygenerations，itbecomesapartnershipnotonlybetweenthosewhoareliving，butbetweenthosewhoareliving，thosewhoaredead，andthosewhoaretobeborn。Eachcontractofeachparticularstateisbutaclauseinthegreatprimevalcontractofeternalsociety，linkingthelowerwiththehighernatures，connectingthevisibleandinvisibleworld，accordingtoafixedcompactsanctionedbytheinviolableoathwhichholdsallphysicalandallmoralnatureseachintheirappointedplace。Thislawisnotsubjecttothewillofthose，whobyanobligationabovethem，andinfinitelysuperior，areboundtosubmittheirwilltothatlaw。Themunicipalcorporationsofthatuniversalkingdomarenotmorallyatlibertyattheirpleasure，andontheirspeculationsofacontingentimprovement，whollytoseparateandtearasunderthebandsoftheirsubordinatecommunity，andtodissolveitintoanunsocial，uncivil，unconnectedchaosofelementaryprinciples。Itisthefirstandsupremenecessityonly，anecessitythatisnotchosen，butchooses，anecessityparamounttodeliberation，thatadmitsnodiscussion，anddemandsnoevidence，whichalonecanjustifyaresorttoanarchy。Thisnecessityisnoexceptiontotherule;becausethisnecessityitselfisaparttooofthatmoralandphysicaldispositionofthingstowhichmanmustbeobedientbyconsentofforce：
butifthatwhichisonlysubmissiontonecessityshouldbemadetheobjectofchoice，thelawisbroken，natureisdisobeyed，andtherebelliousareoutlawed，castforth，andexiledfromthisworldofreason，andorder，andpeace，andvirtue，andfruitfulpenitence，intotheantagonistworldofmadness，discord，vice，confusion，andunavailingsorrow。
PRESCRIPTIVERIGHTS。
Thecrownhasconsideredmeafterlongservice;thecrownhaspaidthedukeofBedfordbyadvance。Hehashadalongcreditforanyservicewhichhemayperformhereafter。Heissecure，andlongmayhebesecure，inhisadvance，whetherheperformsanyservicesornot。Butlethimtakecarehowheendangersthesafetyofthatconstitutionwhichsecureshisownutilityorhisowninsignificance;orhowhediscouragesthosewhotakeupevenpunyarmstodefendanorderofthingswhich，likethesunofheaven，shinesalikeontheusefulandtheworthless。HisgrantsareengraftedonthepubliclawofEurope，coveredwiththeawfulhoarofinnumerableages。Theyareguardedbythesacredrulesofprescription，foundinthatfulltreasuryofjurisprudencefromwhichthejejunenessandpenuryofourmunicipallawhas，bydegrees，beenenrichedandstrengthened。ThisprescriptionIhadmyshare(averyfullshare)inbringingtoitsperfection。ThedukeofBedfordwillstandaslongasprescriptivelawendures;aslongasthegreatstablelawsofproperty，commontouswithallcivilizednations，arekeptintheirintegrity，andwithoutthesmallestintermixtureoflaws，maxims，principles，orprecedents，ofthegrandrevolution。Theyaresecureagainstallchangesbutone。Thewholerevolutionarysystem，institutes，digest，code，novels，text，gloss，comment，arenotonlynotthesame，buttheyaretheveryreverse，andthereversefundamentally，ofallthelaws，onwhichcivillifehashithertobeenupheldinallthegovernmentsoftheworld。Thelearnedprofessorsoftherightsofmanregardprescriptionnotasatitletobarallclaim，setupagainstallpossession，buttheylookonprescriptionasitselfabaragainstthepossessorandproprietor。Theyholdanimmemorialpossessiontobenomorethanalong-continued，andthereforeanaggravatedinjustice。
SuchareTHEIRideas，suchTHEIRreligion，andsuchTHEIRlaw。ButastoOURcountryandOURrace，aslongasthewell-compactedstructureofourchurchandstate，thesanctuary，theholyofholiesofthatancientlaw，defendedbyreverence，defendedbypower，afortressatonceandatemple，shallstandinviolateonthebrowoftheBritishSion;aslongastheBritishmonarchy，notmorelimitedthanfencedbytheordersofthestate，shall，liketheproudKeepofWindsor，risinginthemajestyofproportion，andgirtwiththedoublebeltofitskindredandcoevaltowers，——aslongasthisawfulstructureshalloverseeandguardthesubjectedland——solongthemoundsanddykesofthelow，fatBedfordLevelwillhavenothingtofearfromallthepickaxesofallthelevellersofFrance。Aslongasoursovereignlordtheking，andhisfaithfulsubjects，thelordsandcommonsofthisrealm，——thetriplecord，whichnomancanbreak;thesolemn，sworn，constitutionalfrank-pledgeofthisnation;thefirmguaranteesofeachother’sbeing，andeachother’srights;thejointandseveralsecurities，eachinitsplaceandorder，foreverykindandeveryquality，ofpropertyandofdignity：——aslongastheseendure，solongthedukeofBedfordissafe：
andweareallsafetogether——thehighfromtheblightsofenvyandthespoliationsofrapacity;thelowfromtheironhandofoppressionandtheinsolentspurnofcontempt。Amen！andsobeit：andsoitwillbe，——
“DumdomusAeneaeCapitoliimmobilesaxumAccolet;imperiumquepaterRomanushabebit。”
MADNESSOFINNOVATION。
Noveltyisnottheonlysourceofzeal。WhyshouldnotaMaccabeusandhisbrethrenarisetoassertthehonouroftheancientlaw，andtodefendthetempleoftheirforefathers，withasardentaspiritascaninspireanyinnovatortodestroythemonumentsofthepietyandthegloryofancientages？Itisnotahazardedassertion，itisagreattruth，thatwhenoncethingsaregoneoutoftheirordinarycourse，itisbyactsoutoftheordinarycoursetheycanalonebere-established。Republicanspiritcanonlybecombatedbyaspiritofthesamenature：ofthesamenature，butinformedwithanotherprinciple，andpointingtoanotherend。Iwouldpersuadearesistance，bothtothecorruptionandtothereformationthatprevails。Itwillnotbetheweaker，butmuchthestronger，forcombatingbothtogether。Avictoryoverrealcorruptionswouldenableustobafflethespuriousandpretendedreformations。Iwouldnotwishtoexcite，oreventotolerate，thatkindofevilspiritwhichinvokesthepowersofhelltorectifythedisordersoftheearth。No！
Iwouldaddmyvoicewithbetter，andItrust，morepotentcharms，todrawdownjusticeandwisdomandfortitudefromheaven，forthecorrectionofhumanvice，andtherecallingofhumanerrorfromthedeviouswaysintowhichithasbeenbetrayed。Iwouldwishtocalltheimpulsesofindividualsatoncetotheaidandtothecontrolofauthority。Bythis，whichIcallthetruerepublicanspirit，paradoxicalasitmayappear，monarchiesalonecanberescuedfromtheimbecilityofcourtsandthemadnessofthecrowd。Thisrepublicanspiritwouldnotsuffermeninhighplacetobringruinontheircountryandonthemselves。Itwouldreform，notbydestroying，butbysaving，thegreat，therich，andthepowerful。Sucharepublicanspirit，weperhapsfondlyconceivetohaveanimatedthedistinguishedheroesandpatriotsofold，whoknewnomodeofpolicybutreligionandvirtue。Thesetheywouldhaveparamounttoallconstitutions;theywouldnotsuffermonarchs，orsenates，orpopularassemblies，underpretencesofdignity，orauthority，orfreedom，toshakeoffthosemoralriderswhichreasonhasappointedtogoverneverysortofrudepower。These，inappearanceloadingthembytheirweight，dobythatpressureaugmenttheiressentialforce。Themomentumisincreasedbytheextraneousweight。Itistrueinmoral，asitisinmechanicalscience。Itistrue，notonlyinthedraught，butintherace。Theseridersofthegreat，ineffect，holdthereinswhichguidethemintheircourse，andwearthespurthatstimulatesthemtothegoalsofhonourandofsafety。Thegreatmustsubmittothedominionofprudenceandofvirtue，ornonewilllongsubmittothedominionofthegreat。
“Disteminoremquodgerisimperas。”
Thisisthefeudaltenurewhichtheycannotalter。
THESTATE，ITSOWNREVENUE。
Therevenueofthestateisthestate。Ineffectalldependsuponit，whetherforsupportorforreformation。Thedignityofeveryoccupationwhollydependsuponthequantityandthekindofvirtuethatmaybeexertedinit。Asallgreatqualitiesofthemindwhichoperateinpublic，andarenotmerelysufferingandpassive，requireforcefortheirdisplay，Ihadalmostsaidfortheirunequivocalexistence，therevenue，whichisthespringofallpower，becomesinitsadministrationthesphereofeveryactivevirtue。Publicvirtue，beingofanaturemagnificentandsplendid，institutedforgreatthings，andconversantaboutgreatconcerns，requiresabundantscopeandroom，andcannotspreadandgrowunderconfinement，andincircumstancesstraitened，narrow，andsordid。Throughtherevenuealonethebodypoliticcanactinitstruegeniusandcharacter，andthereforeitwilldisplayjustasmuchofitscollectivevirtue，andasmuchofthatvirtuewhichmaycharacterizethosewhomoveit，andare，asitwere，itslifeandguidingprinciple，asitispossessedofajustrevenue。Forfromhencenotonlymagnanimity，andliberality，andbeneficence，andfortitude，andprovidence，andthetutelaryprotectionofallgoodarts，derivetheirfood，andthegrowthoftheirorgans，butcontinence，andself-denial，andlabour，andvigilance，andfrugality，andwhateverelsethereisinwhichthemindshowsitselfabovetheappetite，arenowheremoreintheirproperelementthanintheprovisionanddistributionofthepublicwealth。Itisthereforenotwithoutreasonthatthescienceofspeculativeandpracticalfinance，whichmusttaketoitsaidsomanyauxiliarybranchesofknowledge，standshighintheestimation，notonlyoftheordinarysort，butofthewisestandbestmen;andasthissciencehasgrownwiththeprogressofitsobject，theprosperityandimprovementofnationshasgenerallyincreasedwiththeincreaseoftheirrevenues;andtheywillbothcontinuetogrowandflourish，aslongasthebalancebetweenwhatislefttostrengthentheeffortsofindividuals，andwhatiscollectedforthecommoneffortsofthestate，beartoeachotheraduereciprocalproportion，andarekeptinaclosecorrespondenceandcommunication。
METAPHYSICALDEPRAVITY。
Thesephilosophersarefanatics;independentofanyinterest，whichifitoperatedalonewouldmakethemmuchmoretractable，theyarecarriedwithsuchaheadlongragetowardseverydesperatetrial，thattheywouldsacrificethewholehumanracetotheslightestoftheirexperiments。Iambetterabletoenterintothecharacterofthisdescriptionofmenthanthenobledukecanbe。Ihavelivedlongandvariouslyintheworld。Withoutanyconsiderablepretensionstoliteratureinmyself，Ihaveaspiredtotheloveofletters。Ihavelivedforagreatmanyyearsinhabitudeswiththosewhoprofessedthem。Icanformatolerableestimateofwhatislikelytohappenfromacharacterchieflydependentforfameandfortuneonknowledgeandtalent，aswellinitsmorbidandpervertedstateasinthatwhichissoundandnatural。Naturally，mensoformedandfinishedarethefirstgiftsofProvidencetotheworld。ButwhentheyhaveoncethrownoffthefearofGod，whichwasinallagestoooftenthecase，andthefearofmen，whichisnowthecase，andwheninthatstatetheycometounderstandoneanother，andtoactincorps，amoredreadfulcalamitycannotariseoutofhelltoscourgemankind。
Nothingcanbeconceivedmorehardthantheheartofathorough-bredmetaphysician。Itcomesnearertothecoldmalignityofawickedspiritthantothefrailtyandpassionofaman。Itislikethatoftheprincipleofevilhimself，incorporeal，pure，unmixed，dephlegmated，defecatedevil。Itisnoeasyoperationtoeradicatehumanityfromthehumanbreast。WhatShakespearecalls“thecompunctiousvisitingsofnature，“willsometimesknockattheirhearts，andprotestagainsttheirmurderousspeculations。Buttheyhaveameansofcompoundingwiththeirnature。Theirhumanityisnotdissolved。Theyonlygiveitalongprorogation。Theyarereadytodeclare，thattheydonotthinktwothousandyearstoolongaperiodforthegoodthattheypursue。Itisremarkable，thattheyneverseeanywaytotheirprojectedgoodbutbytheroadofsomeevil。Theirimaginationisnotfatiguedwiththecontemplationofhumansufferingthroughthewildwasteofcenturiesaddedtocenturiesofmiseryanddesolation。Theirhumanityisattheirhorizon——and，likethehorizon，italwaysfliesbeforethem。Thegeometriciansandthechemistsbringtheonefromthedrybonesoftheirdiagrams，andtheotherfromthesootoftheirfurnaces，dispositionsthatmakethemworsethanindifferentaboutthosefeelingsandhabitudeswhicharethesupportsofthemoralworld。Ambitioniscomeuponthemsuddenly;
theyareintoxicatedwithit，andithasrenderedthemfearlessofthedangerwhichmayfromthencearisetoothersortothemselves。
Thesephilosophersconsidermenintheirexperimentsnomorethantheydomiceinanair-pump，orinarecipientofmephiticgas。
Whateverhisgracemaythinkofhimself，theylookuponhim，andeverythingthatbelongstohim，withnomoreregardthantheydouponthewhiskersofthatlittlelong-tailedanimal，thathasbeenlongthegameofthegrave，demure，insidious，spring-nailed，velvet-pawed，green-eyedphilosophers，whethergoingupontwolegsoruponfour。
PERSONALANDANCESTRALCLAIMS。
Ireallyamatalosstodrawanysortofparallelbetweenthepublicmeritsofhisgrace，bywhichhejustifiesthegrantsheholds，andtheseservicesofmine，onthefavourableconstructionofwhichIhaveobtainedwhathisgracesomuchdisapproves。Inprivatelife，Ihavenotatallthehonourofacquaintancewiththenobleduke。ButIoughttopresume，anditcostsmenothingtodoso，thatheabundantlydeservestheesteemandloveofallwholivewithhim。Butastopublicservice，whytrulyitwouldnotbemoreridiculousformetocomparemyselfinrank，infortune，insplendiddescent，inyouth，strength，orfigure，withthedukeofBedford，thantomakeaparallelbetweenhisservicesandmyattemptstobeusefultomycountry。Itwouldnotbegrossadulation，butuncivilirony，tosay，thathehasanypublicmeritofhisowntokeepalivetheideaoftheservicesbywhichhisvastlandedpensionswereobtained。Mymerits，whatevertheyare，areoriginalandpersonal;hisarederivative。Itishisancestor，theoriginalpensioner，thathaslaidupthisinexhaustiblefundofmerit，whichmakeshisgracesoverydelicateandexceptiousaboutthemeritofallothergranteesofthecrown。Hadhepermittedmetoremaininquiet，I
shouldhavesaid，’Tishisestate;that’senough。Itishisbylaw;whathaveItodowithitoritshistory？Hewouldnaturallyhavesaidonhisside，’Tisthisman’sfortune。Heisasgoodnowasmyancestorwastwohundredandfiftyyearsago。Iamayoungmanwithveryoldpensions：heisanoldmanwithveryyoungpensions，——that’sall。Whywillhisgrace，byattackingme，forcemereluctantlytocomparemylittlemeritwiththatwhichobtainedfromthecrownthoseprodigiesofprofusedonationbywhichhetramplesonthemediocrityofhumbleandlaboriousindividuals？Iwouldwillinglyleavehimtotheherald’scollege，whichthephilosophyofthesansculottes(prouderbyfarthanalltheGarters，andNorroys，andClarencieux，andRougeDragons，thateverprancedinaprocessionofwhathisfriendscallaristocratsanddespots)willabolishwithcontumelyandscorn。Thesehistorians，recorders，andblazonersofvirtuesandarms，differwhollyfromthatotherdescriptionofhistorians，whoneverassignanyactofpoliticianstoagoodmotive。Thesegentlehistorians，onthecontrary，diptheirpensinnothingbutthemilkofhumankindness。Theyseeknofurtherformeritthanthepreambleofapatent，ortheinscriptionofatomb。Withthemeverymancreatedapeerisfirstaheroreadymade。Theyjudgeofeveryman’scapacityforofficebytheofficeshehasfilled;andthemoreoffices，themoreability。Everygeneral-officerwiththemisaMarlborough;everystatesmanaBurleigh;everyjudgeaMurrayoraYorke。Theywho，alive，werelaughedatorpitiedbyalltheiracquaintance，makeasgoodafigureasthebestoftheminthepagesofGuillim，Edmondson，andCollins。
MONASTICANDPHILOSOPHICSUPERSTITION。
Buttheinstitutionssavourofsuperstitionintheirveryprinciple;andtheynourishitbyapermanentandstandinginfluence。ThisIdonotmeantodispute;butthisoughtnottohinderyoufromderivingfromsuperstitionitselfanyresourceswhichmaythencebefurnishedforthepublicadvantage。Youderivebenefitsfrommanydispositionsandmanypassionsofthehumanmind，whichareofasdoubtfulacolour，inthemoraleye，assuperstitionitself。Itwasyourbusinesstocorrectandmitigateeverythingwhichwasnoxiousinthispassion，asinallthepassions。Butissuperstitionthegreatestofallpossiblevices？InitspossibleexcessIthinkitbecomesaverygreatevil。Itis，however，amoralsubject;andofcourseadmitsofalldegreesandallmodifications。Superstitionisthereligionoffeebleminds;andtheymustbetoleratedinanintermixtureofit，insometriflingorsomeenthusiasticshapeorother，elseyouwilldepriveweakmindsofaresourcefoundnecessarytothestrongest。Thebodyofalltruereligionconsists，tobesure，inobediencetothewilloftheSovereignoftheworld;inaconfidenceinhisdeclarations，andinimitationofhisperfections。Therestisourown。Itmaybeprejudicialtothegreatend;itmaybeauxiliary。Wisemen，whoassucharenotADMIRERS(notadmirersatleastofthemuneraterrae)，arenotviolentlyattachedtothesethings，nordotheyviolentlyhatethem。Wisdomisnotthemostseverecorrectoroffolly。Theyaretherivalfollies，whichmutuallywagesounrelentingawar;andwhichmakesocruelauseoftheiradvantages，astheycanhappentoengagetheimmoderatevulgar，ontheoneside，ortheother，intheirquarrels。Prudencewouldbeneuter;butif，inthecontentionbetweenfondattachmentandfierceantipathyconcerningthingsintheirnaturenotmadetoproducesuchheats，aprudentmanwereobligedtomakeachoiceofwhaterrorsandexcessesofenthusiasmhewouldcondemnorbear，perhapshewouldthinkthesuperstitionwhichbuilds，tobemoretolerablethanthatwhichdemolishes;thatwhichadornsacountry，thanthatwhichdeformsit;
thatwhichendows，thanthatwhichplunders;thatwhichdisposestomistakenbeneficence，thanthatwhichstimulatestorealinjustice;thatwhichleadsamantorefusetohimselflawfulpleasures，thanthatwhichsnatchesfromothersthescantysubsistenceoftheirself-denial。Such，Ithink，isverynearlythestateofthequestionbetweentheancientfoundersofmonkishsuperstition，andthesuperstitionofthepretendedphilosophersofthehour。
DIFFICULTYANDWISDOMOFCORPORATEREFORM。
Therearemomentsinthefortuneofstateswhenparticularmenarecalledtomakeimprovementsbygreatmentalexertion。Inthosemoments，evenwhentheyseemtoenjoytheconfidenceoftheirprinceandcountry，andtobeinvestedwithfullauthority，theyhavenotalwaysaptinstruments。Apolitician，todogreatthings，looksforaPOWER，whatourworkmencallaPURCHASE;andifhefindsthatpower，inpoliticsasinmechanics，hecannotbeatalosstoapplyit。Inthemonasticinstitutions，inmyopinion，wasfoundagreatPOWERforthemechanismofpoliticbenevolence。Therewererevenueswithapublicdirection;thereweremenwhollysetapartanddedicatedtopublicpurposes，withoutanyotherthanpublictiesandpublicprinciples;menwithoutthepossibilityofconvertingtheestateofthecommunityintoaprivatefortune;mendeniedtoself-interests，whoseavariceisforsomecommunity;mentowhompersonalpovertyishonour，andimplicitobediencestandsintheplaceoffreedom。Invainshallamanlooktothepossibilityofmakingsuchthingswhenhewantsthem。Thewindsblowastheylist。Theseinstitutionsaretheproductsofenthusiasm;theyaretheinstrumentsofwisdom。
Wisdomcannotcreatematerials;theyarethegiftsofnatureorofchance;herprideisintheuse。Theperennialexistenceofbodiescorporateandtheirfortunesarethingsparticularlysuitedtoamanwhohaslongviews;whomeditatesdesignsthatrequiretimeinfashioning，andwhichproposedurationwhentheyareaccomplished。Heisnotdeservingtorankhigh，oreventobementionedintheorderofgreatstatesmen，who，havingobtainedthecommandanddirectionofsuchapowerasexistedinthewealth，thediscipline，andthehabitsofsuchcorporations，asthosewhichyouhaverashlydestroyed，cannotfindanywayofconvertingittothegreatandlastingbenefitofhiscountry。Ontheviewofthissubject，athousandusessuggestthemselvestoacontrivingmind。Todestroyanypower，growingwildfromtherankproductiveforceofthehumanmind，isalmosttantamount，inthemoralworld，tothedestructionoftheapparentlyactivepropertiesofbodiesinthematerial。Itwouldbeliketheattempttodestroy(ifitwereinourcompetencetodestroy)theexpansiveforceoffixedairinnitre，orthepowerofsteam，orofelectricity，orofmagnetism。Theseenergiesalwaysexistedinnature，andtheywerealwaysdiscernible。Theyseemed，someofthemunserviceable，somenoxious，somenobetterthanasporttochildren;
untilcontemplativeability，combiningwithpracticskill，tamedtheirwildnature，subduedthemtouse，andrenderedthematoncethemostpowerfulandthemosttractableagents，insubserviencetothegreatviewsanddesignsofmen。Didfiftythousandpersons，whosementalandwhosebodilylabouryoumightdirect，andsomanyhundredthousandayearofarevenue，whichwasneitherlazynorsuperstitious，appeartoobigforyourabilitiestowield？Hadyounowayofusingthemenbutbyconvertingmonksintopensioners？Hadyounowayofturningtherevenuetoaccountbutthroughtheimprovidentresourceofaspendthriftsale？，Ifyouwerethusdestituteofmentalfunds，theproceedingisinitsnaturalcourse。Yourpoliticiansdonotunderstandtheirtrade;andthereforetheyselltheirtools。
DISTINCTIVECHARACTEROFENGLISHPROTESTANTISM。
“ProtestantismoftheEnglishChurch，“veryindefinite，becausethetermPROTESTANT，whichyouapply，istoogeneralfortheconclusionswhichoneofyouraccurateunderstandingwouldwishtodrawfromit;andbecauseagreatdealofargumentwilldependontheusethatismadeofthatterm。ItisNOTafundamentalpartofthesettlementattheRevolution，thatthestateshouldbeprotestantwithoutANY
QUALIFICATIONOFTHETERM。Withaqualificationitisunquestionablytrue;notinallitslatitude。Withthequalification，itwastruebeforetheRevolution。Ourpredecessorsinlegislationwerenotsoirrational(nottosayimpious)astoformanoperoseecclesiasticalestablishment，andeventorenderthestateitselfinsomedegreesubservienttoit，whentheirreligion(ifsuchitmightbecalled)wasnothingbutamereNEGATIONofsomeother——withoutanypositiveideaeitherofdoctrine，discipline，worship，ormorals，intheschemewhichtheyprofessedthemselves，andwhichtheyimposeduponothers，evenunderpenaltiesandincapacities——No！no！Thisnevercouldhavebeendoneevenbyreasonableatheists。Theywhothinkreligionofnoimportancetothestate，haveabandonedittotheconscienceorcapriceoftheindividual;theymakenoprovisionforitwhatsoever，butleaveeveryclubtomake，ornot，avoluntarycontributiontowardsitssupport，accordingtotheirfancies。Thiswouldbeconsistent。Theotheralwaysappearedtometobeamonsterofcontradictionandabsurdity。Itwasforthatreasonthat，someyearsago，Istrenuouslyopposedtheclergywhopetitioned，tothenumberofaboutthreehundred，tobefreedfromthesubscriptiontothethirty-ninearticles，withoutproposingtosubstituteanyotherintheirplace。Thereneverhasbeenareligionofthestate(thefewyearsoftheParliamentonlyexcepted)，butthatofTHEESPISCOPALCHURCHOFENGLAND;theEpiscopalChurchofEngland，beforetheReformation，connectedwiththeseeofRome，sincethen，disconnectedandprotestingagainstsomeofherdoctrines，andagainstthewholeofherauthority，asbindinginournationalchurch：nordidthefundamentallawsofthiskingdom(inIrelandithasbeenthesame)
everknow，atanyperiod，anyotherchurchASANOBJECTOF
ESTABLISHMENT;orinthatlight，anyotherprotestantreligion。Nay，ourprotestantTOLERATIONitselfattheRevolution，anduntilwithinafewyears，requiredasignatureofthirty-six，andapartofthethirty-seventh，outofthethirty-ninearticles。SolittleideahadtheyattheRevolutionofESTABLISHINGProtestantismindefinitely，thattheydidnotindefinitelyTOLERATEitunderthatname。Idonotmeantopraisethatstrictness，wherenothingmorethanmerelyreligioustolerationisconcerned。Toleration，beingapartofmoralandpoliticalprudence，oughttobetenderandlarge。Atolerantgovernmentoughtnottobetooscrupulousinitsinvestigations;butmaybearwithoutblame，notonlyveryill-groundeddoctrines，butevenmanythingsthatarepositivelyvices，wheretheyareadultaetpraevalida。Thegoodofthecommonwealthistherulewhichridesovertherest;andtothiseveryothermustcompletelysubmit。
FICTITIOUSLIBERTY。
Abravepeoplewillcertainlypreferlibertyaccompaniedwithavirtuouspovertytoadepravedandwealthyservitude。Butbeforethepriceofcomfortandopulenceispaid，oneoughttobeprettysureitisreallibertywhichispurchased，andthatsheistobepurchasedatnootherprice。Ishallalways，however，considerthatlibertyasveryequivocalinherappearance，whichhasnotwisdomandjusticeforhercompanions，anddoesnotleadprosperityandplentyinhertrain。
FRENCHIGNORANCEOFENGLISHCHARACTER。
WhenIassertanythingelse，asconcerningthepeopleofEngland，I
speakfromobservation，notfromauthority;butIspeakfromtheexperienceIhavehadinaprettyextensiveandmixedcommunicationwiththeinhabitantsofthiskingdom，ofalldescriptionsandranks，andafteracourseofattentiveobservation，beguninearlylife，andcontinuedfornearlyfortyyears。Ihaveoftenbeenastonished，consideringthatwearedividedfromyoubutbyaslenderdykeofabouttwenty-fourmiles，andthatthemutualintercoursebetweenthetwocountrieshaslatelybeenverygreat，tofindhowlittleyouseemtoknowofus。Isuspectthatthisisowingtoyourformingajudgmentofthisnationfromcertainpublications，whichdo，veryerroneously，iftheydoatall，representtheopinionsanddispositionsgenerallyprevalentinEngland。Thevanity，restlessness，petulance，andspiritofintrigue，ofseveralpettycabals，whoattempttohidetheirtotalwantofconsequenceinbustleandnoise，andpuffing，andmutualquotationofeachother，makesyouimaginethatourcontemptuousneglectoftheirabilitiesisageneralmarkofacquiescenceintheiropinions。Nosuchthing，Iassureyou。
Becausehalfadozengrasshoppersunderafernmakethefieldringwiththeirimportunatechink，whilstthousandsofgreatcattle，reposedbeneaththeshadowoftheBritishoak，chewthecudandaresilent，praydonotimaginethatthosewhomakethenoisearetheonlyinhabitantsofthefield;that，ofcourse，theyaremanyinnumber;orthat，afterall，theyareotherthanthelittle，shrivelled，meagre，hopping，thoughloudandtroublesomeinsectsofthehour。
THE“PEOPLE，“AND“OMNIPOTENCE“OFPARLIAMENT。
Whenthesupremeauthorityofthepeopleisinquestion，beforeweattempttoextendortoconfineit，weoughttofixinourminds，withsomedegreeofdistinctness，anideaofwhatitiswemeanwhenwesaythePEOPLE。
InastateofRUDEnaturethereisnosuchthingasapeople。Anumberofmeninthemselveshavenocollectivecapacity。Theideaofapeopleistheideaofacorporation。Itiswhollyartificial;andmadelikeallotherlegalfictionsbycommonagreement。Whattheparticularnatureofthatagreementwas，iscollectedfromtheformintowhichtheparticularsocietyhasbeencast。AnyotherisnotTHEIRcovenant。Whenmen，therefore，breakuptheoriginalcompactoragreement，whichgivesitscorporateformandcapacitytoastate，theyarenolongerapeople;
theyhavenolongeracorporateexistence;theyhavenolongeralegal，coactiveforcetobindwithin，noraclaimtoberecognisedabroad。Theyareanumberofvague，looseindividuals，andnothingmore。Withthemallistobeginagain。Alas！theylittleknowhowmanyawearystepistobetakenbeforetheycanformthemselvesintoamass，whichhasatrue，politicpersonality。
Wehearmuchfrommen，whohavenotacquiredtheirhardnessofassertionfromtheprofundityoftheirthinking，abouttheomnipotenceofaMAJORITY，insuchadissolutionofanancientsocietyashathtakenplaceinFrance。Butamongstmensodisbanded，therecanbenosuchthingasmajorityorminority;orpowerinanyonepersontobindanother。Thepowerofactingbyamajority，whichthegentlementheoristsseemtoassumesoreadily，aftertheyhaveviolatedthecontractoutofwhichithasarisen(ifatallitexisted)，mustbegroundedontwoassumptions;first，thatofanincorporationproducedbyunanimity;and，secondly，anunanimousagreement，thattheactofameremajority(sayofone)shallpasswiththemandwithothersastheactofthewhole。
Wearesolittleaffectedbythingswhicharehabitual，thatweconsiderthisideaofthedecisionofaMAJORITYasifitwerealawofouroriginalnature;butsuchconstructivewhole，residinginapartonly，isoneofthemostviolentfictionsofpositivelawthateverhasbeenorcanbemadeontheprinciplesofartificialincorporation。Outofcivilsocietynatureknowsnothingofit;noraremen，evenwhenarrangedaccordingtocivilorder，otherwisethanbyverylongtraining，broughtatalltosubmittoit。Themindisbroughtfarmoreeasilytoacquiesceintheproceedingsofoneman，orafew，whoactunderageneralprocurationforthestate，thaninthevoteofavictoriousmajorityincouncils，inwhicheverymanhashisshareinthedeliberation。Fortherethebeatenpartyareexasperatedandsouredbythepreviouscontention，andmortifiedbytheconclusivedefeat。Thismodeofdecision，wherewillsmaybesonearlyequal，where，accordingtocircumstances，thesmallernumbermaybethestrongerforce，andwhereapparentreasonmaybeallupononeside，andontheotherlittleelsethanimpetuousappetite;allthismustbetheresultofaveryparticularandspecialconvention，confirmedafterwardsbylonghabitsofobedience，byasortofdisciplineinsociety，andbyastronghand，vestedwithstationary，permanentpower，toenforcethissortofconstructivegeneralwill。Whatorganitisthatshalldeclarethecorporatemindissomuchamatterofpositivearrangement，thatseveralstates，forthevalidityofseveraloftheiracts，haverequiredaproportionofvoicesmuchgreaterthanthatofameremajority。Theseproportionsaresoentirelygovernedbyconvention，thatinsomecasestheminoritydecides。
MAGNANIMITYOFENGLISHPEOPLE。
IdonotaccusethepeopleofEngland。Astothegreatmajorityofthenation，theyhavedonewhateverintheirseveralranks，andconditions，anddescriptions，wasrequiredofthembytheirrelativesituationsinsociety;andfromthosethegreatmassofmankindcannotdepart，withoutthesubversionofallpublicorder。Theylookuptothatgovernmentwhichtheyobeythattheymaybeprotected。
TheyasktobeledanddirectedbythoserulerswhomProvidenceandthelawsoftheircountryhavesetoverthem，andundertheirguidancetowalkinthewaysofsafetyandhonour。TheyhaveagaindelegatedthegreatesttrustwhichtheyhavetobestowtothosefaithfulrepresentativeswhomadetheirtruevoiceheardagainstthedisturbersanddestroyersofEurope。Theysuffered，withunapprovingacquiescence，solicitationswhichtheyhadinnoshapedesired，toanunjustandusurpingpowerwhomtheyhadneverprovoked，andwhosehostilemenacestheydidnotdread。Whentheexigenciesofthepublicservicecouldonlybemetbytheirvoluntaryzeal，theystartedforthwithanardourwhichout-strippedthewishesofthosewhohadinjuredthembydoubtingwhetheritmightnotbenecessarytohaverecoursetocompulsion。Theyhave，inallthings，reposedanenduring，butnotanunreflecting，confidence。Thatconfidencedemandsafullreturn，andfixesaresponsibilityontheministersentireandundivided。Thepeoplestandsacquitted，ifthewarisnotcarriedoninamannersuitedtoitsobjects。Ifthepublichonouristarnished，ifthepublicsafetysuffersanydetriment，theministers，notthepeople，aretoanswerit，andtheyalone。Itsarmies，itsnavies，aregiventothemwithoutstintorrestriction。Itstreasuresarepouredoutattheirfeet。Itsconstancyisreadytosecondalltheirefforts。Theyarenottofeararesponsibilityforactsofmanlyadventure。Theresponsibilitywhichtheyaretodreadis，lesttheyshouldshowthemselvesunequaltotheexpectationofabravepeople。Themoredoubtfulmaybetheconstitutionalandeconomicalquestionsuponwhichtheyhavereceivedsomarkedasupport，themoreloudlytheyarecalledupontosupportthisgreatwar，forthesuccessofwhichtheircountryiswillingtosupersedeconsiderationsofnoslightimportance。WhereIspeakofresponsibility，Idonotmeantoexcludethatspeciesofitwhichthelegalpowersofthecountryhavearightfinallytoexactfromthosewhoabuseapublictrust;buthighasthisis，thereisaresponsibilitywhichattachesonthem，fromwhichthewholelegitimatepowerofthiskingdomcannotabsolvethem：thereisaresponsibilitytoconscienceandtoglory;aresponsibilitytotheexistingworld，andtothatposteritywhichmenoftheireminencecannotavoidforgloryorforshame;aresponsibilitytoatribunalatwhichnotonlyministers，butkingsandparliaments，butevennationsthemselves，mustonedayanswer。
TRUEBASISOFCIVILSOCIETY。
Weknow，andwhatisbetter，wefeelinwardly，thatreligionisthebasisofcivilsociety，andthesourceofallgoodandofallcomfort。
InEnglandwearesoconvincedofthis，thatthereisnorustofsuperstitionwithwhichtheaccumulatedabsurdityofthehumanmindmighthavecrusteditoverinthecourseofages，thatninety-nineinahundredofthepeopleofEnglandwouldnotprefertoimpiety。Weshallneverbesuchfoolsastocallinanenemytothesubstanceofanysystemtoremoveitscorruptions，tosupplyitsdefects，ortoperfectitsconstruction。Ifourreligioustenetsshouldeverwantafurtherelucidation，weshallnotcallonatheismtoexplainthem。Weshallnotlightupourtemplefromthatunhallowedfire。Itwillbeilluminatedwithotherlights。Itwillbeperfumedwithotherincensethantheinfectiousstuffwhichisimportedbythesmugglersofadulteratedmetaphysics。Ifourecclesiasticalestablishmentshouldwantarevision，itisnotavariceorrapacity，publicorprivate，thatweshallemployfortheaudit，orreceipt，orapplicationofitsconsecratedrevenue。
ViolentlycondemningneithertheGreeknortheArmenian，nor，sinceheatsaresubsided，theRomansystemofreligion，weprefertheProtestant;notbecausewethinkithaslessoftheChristianreligioninit，butbecause，inourjudgment，ithasmore。WeareProtestants，notfromindifference，butfromzeal。Weknow，anditisourpridetoknow，thatmanisbyhisconstitutionareligiousanimal;thatatheismisagainst，notonlyourreason，butourinstincts;andthatitcannotprevaillong。Butif，inthemomentofriot，andinadrunkendeliriumfromthehotspiritdrawnoutofthealembicofhell，whichinFranceisnowsofuriouslyboiling，weshoulduncoverournakedness，bythrowingoffthatChristianreligionwhichhashithertobeenourboastandcomfort，andonegreatsourceofcivilizationamongstus，andamongmanyothernations，weareapprehensive(beingwellawarethatthemindwillnotendureavoid)thatsomeuncouth，pernicious，anddegradingsuperstitionmighttakeplaceofit。
ROUSSEAU。
Itisundoubtedlytrue，thoughitmayseemparadoxical，butingeneral，thosewhoarehabituallyemployedinfindinganddisplayingfaults，areunqualifiedfortheworkofreformation;becausetheirmindsarenotonlyunfurnishedwithpatternsofthefairandgood，butbyhabittheycometotakenodelightinthecontemplationofthosethings。Byhatingvicestoomuch，theycometolovementoolittle。Itisthereforenotwonderfulthattheyshouldbeindisposedandunabletoservethem。Fromhencearisesthecomplexionaldispositionofsomeofyourguidestopulleverythinginpieces。Atthismaliciousgametheydisplaythewholeoftheirquadrimanousactivity。Astotherest，theparadoxesofeloquentwriters，broughtforthpurelyasasportoffancy，totrytheirtalents，torouseattentionandexcitesurprise，aretakenupbythesegentleman，notinthespiritoftheoriginalauthors，asmeansofcultivatingtheirtasteandimprovingtheirstyle。Theseparadoxesbecomewiththemseriousgroundsofaction，uponwhichtheyproceedinregulatingthemostimportantconcernsofthestate。CiceroludicrouslydescribesCatoasendeavouringtoact，inthecommonwealth，upontheschoolparadoxes，whichexercisedthewitsofthejuniorstudentsintheStoicphilosophy。
IfthiswastrueofCato，thesegentlemencopyafterhiminthemannerofsomepersonswholivedabouthistime——pedenudoCatonem。Mr。HumetoldmethathehadfromRousseauhimselfthesecretofhisprinciplesofcomposition。Thatacute，thougheccentricobserver，hadperceived，thattostrikeandinterestthepublic，themarvellousmustbeproduced;
thatthemarvellousoftheheathenmythologyhadlongsincelostitseffects;thatgiants，magicians，fairies，andheroesofromancewhichsucceeded，hadexhaustedtheportionofcredulitywhichbelongedtotheirage;thatnownothingwaslefttoawriterbutthatspeciesofthemarvellouswhichmightstillbeproduced，andwithasgreataneffectasever，thoughinanotherway;thatis，themarvellousinlife，inmanners，incharacters，andinextraordinarysituations，givingrisetonewandunlooked-forstrokesinpoliticsandmorals。Ibelieve，thatwereRousseaualive，andinoneofhislucidintervals，hewouldbeshockedatthepracticalfrenzyofhisscholars，whointheirparadoxesareservileimitators，andevenintheirincredulitydiscoveranimplicitfaith。
MORALHEROES。
Mankindhasnotitletodemandthatweshouldbeslavestotheirguiltandinsolence;orthatweshouldservetheminspiteofthemselves。Minds，sorewiththepoignantsenseofinsultedvirtue，filledwithhighdisdainagainsttheprideoftriumphantbaseness，oftenhaveitnotintheirchoicetostandtheirground。Theircomplexion(whichmightdefytherack)cannotgothroughsuchatrial。Somethingveryhighmustfortifymentothatproof。ButwhenI
amdriventocomparison，surelyIcannothesitateforamomenttoprefertosuchmenasarecommon，thoseheroeswho，inthemidstofdespair，performallthetasksofhope;whosubduetheirfeelingstotheirduties;who，inthecauseofhumanity，liberty，andhonour，abandonallthesatisfactionsoflife，andeverydayincurafreshriskoflifeitself。DomethejusticetobelievethatInevercanpreferanyfastidiousvirtue(virtuestill)totheunconqueredperseverance，totheaffectionatepatienceofthosewhowatchdayandnightbythebedsideoftheirdeliriouscountry，who，fortheirlovetothatdearandvenerablename，bearallthedisgustsandallthebuffetstheyreceivefromtheirfranticmother。Sir，Idolookonyouastruemartyrs;IregardyouassoldierswhoactfarmoreinthespiritofourCommander-in-ChiefandtheCaptainofoursalvation，thanthosewhohaveleftyou;thoughImustfirstboltmyselfverythoroughly，andknowthatIcoulddobetter，beforeIcancensurethem。Iassureyou，sir，that，whenIconsideryourunconquerablefidelitytoyoursovereign，andtoyourcountry;thecourage，fortitude，magnanimity，andlong-sufferingofyourself，andtheAbbeMaury，andofMr。Cazales，andofmanyworthypersonsofallordersinyourAssembly，Iforget，inthelustreofthesegreatqualities，thatonyoursidehasbeendisplayedaneloquencesorational，manly，andconvincing，thatnotimeorcountry，perhaps，haseverexcelled。
Butyourtalentsdisappearinmyadmirationofyourvirtues。
KINGDOMOFFRANCE。
WhenIconsiderthefaceofthekingdomofFrance;themultitudeandopulenceofhercities;theusefulmagnificenceofherspacioushigh-roadsandbridges;theopportunityofherartificialcanalsandnavigations，openingtheconveniencesofmaritimecommunicationthroughasolidcontinentofsoimmenseanextent;whenIturnmyeyestothestupendousworksofherportsandharbours，andtoherwholenavalapparatus，whetherforwarortrade;whenIbringbeforemyviewthenumberofherfortifications，constructedwithsoboldandmasterlyaskill，andmadeandmaintainedatsoprodigiousacharge，presentinganarmedfrontandimpenetrablebarriertoherenemiesuponeveryside;
whenIrecollecthowverysmallapartofthatextensiveregioniswithoutcultivation，andtowhatcompleteperfectionthecultureofmanyofthebestproductionsoftheearthhavebeenbroughtinFrance;whenI
reflectontheexcellenceofhermanufacturesandfabrics，secondtononebutours，andinsomeparticularsnotsecond;whenIcontemplatethegrandfoundationsofcharity，publicandprivate;whenIsurveythestateofalltheartsthatbeautifyandpolishlife;whenIreckonthemenshehasbredforextendingherfameinwar，herablestatesmen，themultitudeofherprofoundlawyersandtheologians，herphilosophers，hercritics，herhistoriansandantiquaries，herpoetsandherorators，sacredandprofane;Ibeholdinallthissomethingwhichawesandcommandstheimagination，whichchecksthemindonthebrinkofprecipitateandindiscriminatecensure，andwhichdemandsthatweshouldveryseriouslyexamine，whatandhowgreatarethelatentvicesthatcouldauthorizeusatoncetolevelsospeciousafabricwiththeground。Idonotrecogniseinthisviewofthings，thedespotismofTurkey。NordoIdiscernthecharacterofagovernmentthathasbeen，onthewhole，sooppressive，orsocorrupt，orsonegligent，astobeutterlyUNFITFORALLREFORMATION。Imustthinksuchagovernmentwelldeservedtohaveitsexcellencesheightened，itsfaultscorrected，anditscapacitiesimprovedintoaBritishconstitution。
GRIEVANCEANDOPINION。
Thisshows，inmyopinion，howveryquickandawakenedallmenoughttobewhoarelookeduptobythepublic，andwhodeservethatconfidence，topreventasurpriseontheiropinions，whendogmasarespread，andprojectspursued，bywhichthefoundationsofsocietymaybeaffected。Beforetheylisteneventomoderatealterationsinthegovernmentoftheircountry，theyoughttotakecarethatprinciplesarenotpropagatedforthatpurpose，whicharetoobigfortheirobject。Doctrineslimitedintheirpresentapplication，andwideintheirgeneralprinciples，arenevermeanttobeconfinedtowhattheyatfirstpretend。IfIweretoformaprognosticoftheeffectofthepresentmachinationsonthepeople，fromtheirsenseofanygrievancetheysufferunderthisconstitution，mymindwouldbeatease。Butthereisawidedifferencebetweenthemultitude，whentheyactagainsttheirgovernmentfromasenseofgrievance，orfromzealforsomeopinions。Whenmenarethoroughlypossessedwiththatzeal，itisdifficulttocalculateitsforce。Itiscertainthatitspowerisbynomeansinexactproportiontoitsreasonableness。Itmustalwayshavebeendiscoverablebypersonsofreflection，butitisnowobvioustotheworld，thatatheoryconcerninggovernmentmaybecomeasmuchacauseoffanaticismasadogmainreligion。Thereisaboundarytomen’spassionswhentheyactfromfeeling;nonewhentheyareundertheinfluenceofimagination。Removeagrievance，and，whenmenactfromfeeling，yougoagreatwaytowardsquietingacommotion。Butthegoodorbadconductofagovernment，theprotectionmenhaveenjoyed，ortheoppressiontheyhavesuffered，underit，areofnosortofmomentwhenafaction，proceedinguponspeculativegrounds，isthoroughlyheatedagainstitsform。Whenamanis，fromsystem，furiousagainstmonarchyorepiscopacy，thegoodconductofthemonarchorthebishophasnoothereffectthanfurthertoirritatetheadversary。Heisprovokedatit，asfurnishingapleaforpreservingthethingwhichhewishestodestroy。Hismindwillbeheatedasmuchbythesightofasceptre，amace，oraverge，asifhehadbeendailybruisedandwoundedbythesesymbolsofauthority。Merespectacles，merenames，willbecomesufficientcausestostimulatethepeopletowarandtumult。
PERPLEXITYANDPOLICY。
Letusnotdeceiveourselves：weareatthebeginningofgreattroubles。
IreadilyacknowledgethatthestateofpublicaffairsisinfinitelymoreunpromisingthanattheperiodIhavejustnowalludedto;andthepositionofallthepowersofEurope，inrelationtous，andinrelationtoeachother，ismoreintricateandcriticalbeyondallcomparison。
Difficultindeedisoursituation。Inallsituationsofdifficultymenwillbeinfluencedintheparttheytake，notonlybythereasonofthecase，butbythepeculiarturnoftheirowncharacter。Thesamewaystosafetydonotpresentthemselvestoallmen，nortothesamemenindifferenttempers。Thereisacourageouswisdom;thereisalsoafalse，reptileprudence，theresultnotofcaution，butoffear。Undermisfortunesitoftenhappensthatthenervesoftheunderstandingaresorelaxed，thepressingperilofthehoursocompletelyconfoundsallthefaculties，thatnofuturedangercanbeproperlyprovidedfor，canbejustlyestimated，canbesomuchasfullyseen。Theeyeofthemindisdazzledandvanquished。Anabjectdistrustofourselves，anextravagantadmirationoftheenemy，presentuswithnohopebutinacompromisewithhispride，byasubmissiontohiswill。Thisshortplanofpolicyistheonlycounselwhichwillobtainahearing。Weplungeintoadarkgulfwithalltherashprecipitationoffear。Thenatureofcourageis，withoutaquestion，tobeconversantwithdanger：butinthepalpablenightoftheirterrors，menunderconsternationsuppose，notthatitisthedanger，which，byasureinstinct，callsoutthecouragetoresistit，butthatitisthecouragewhichproducesthedanger。Theythereforeseekforarefugefromtheirfearsinthefearsthemselves，andconsideratemporizingmeannessastheonlysourceofsafety。
Therulesanddefinitionsofprudencecanrarelybeexact;neveruniversal。Idonotdeny，that，insmall，trucklingstates，atimelycompromisewithpowerhasoftenbeenthemeans，andtheonlymeans，ofdrawlingouttheirpunyexistence：butagreatstateistoomuchenvied，toomuchdreaded，tofindsafetyinhumiliation。Tobesecure，itmustberespected。Power，andeminence，andconsideration，arethingsnottobebegged。Theymustbecommanded：andtheywhosupplicateformercyfromothers，canneverhopeforjusticethroughthemselves。Whatjusticetheyaretoobtain，asthealmsofanenemy，dependsuponhischaracter;
andthattheyoughtwelltoknowbeforetheyimplicitlyconfide。
HISTORICALINSTRUCTION。
Suchistheeffectoftheperversionofhistory，bythose，who，forthesamenefariouspurposes，havepervertedeveryotherpartoflearning。Butthosewhowillstanduponthatelevationofreason，whichplacescenturiesunderoureye，andbringsthingstothetruepointofcomparison，whichobscureslittlenames，andeffacesthecoloursoflittleparties，andtowhichnothingcanascendbutthespiritandmoralqualityofhumanactions，willsaytotheteachersofthePalaisRoyal，——thecardinalofLorrainewasthemurdererofthesixteenthcentury，youhavethegloryofbeingthemurderersintheeighteenth;andthisistheonlydifferencebetweenyou。Buthistory，inthenineteenthcentury，betterunderstood，andbetteremployed，will，Itrust，teachacivilizedposteritytoabhorthemisdeedsofboththesebarbarousages。Itwillteachfuturepriestsandmagistratesnottoretaliateuponthespeculativeandinactiveatheistsoffuturetimes，theenormitiescommittedbythepresentpracticalzealotsandfuriousfanaticsofthatwretchederror，which，initsquiescentstate，ismorethanpunished，wheneveritisembraced。Itwillteachposteritynottomakewaruponeitherreligionorphilosophy，fortheabusewhichthehypocritesofbothhavemadeofthetwomostvaluableblessingsconferreduponusbythebountyoftheuniversalPatron，whoinallthingseminentlyfavoursandprotectstheraceofman。
MONTESQUIEU。
Place，forinstance，beforeyoureyes，suchamanasMontesquieu。Thinkofageniusnotbornineverycountry，oreverytime;amangiftedbynaturewithapenetrating，aquilineeye;withajudgmentpreparedwiththemostextensiveerudition;withanherculeanrobustnessofmind，andnervesnottobebrokenwithlabour;amanwhocouldspendtwentyyearsinonepursuit。Thinkofaman，liketheuniversalpatriarchinMilton(whohaddrawnupbeforehiminhispropheticvisionthewholeseriesofthegenerationswhichweretoissuefromhisloins)，amancapableofplacinginreview，afterhavingbroughttogetherfromtheeast，thewest，thenorth，andthesouth，fromthecoarsenessoftherudestbarbarismtothemostrefinedandsubtlecivilization，alltheschemesofgovernmentwhichhadeverprevailedamongstmankind，weighing，measuring，collating，andcomparingthemall，joiningfactwiththeory，andcallingintocouncil，uponallthisinfiniteassemblageofthings，allthespeculationswhichhavefatiguedtheunderstandingsofprofoundreasonersinalltimes！Letusthenconsider，thatallthesewerebutsomanypreparatorystepstoqualifyaman，andsuchaman，tincturedwithnonationalprejudice，withnodomesticaffection，toadmire，andtoholdouttotheadmirationofmankind，theconstitutionofEngland！AndshallweEnglishmenrevoketosuchasuit？Shallwe，whensomuchmorethanhehasproducedremainsstilltobeunderstoodandadmired，insteadofkeepingourselvesintheschoolsofrealscience，chooseforourteachersmenincapableofbeingtaught，whoseonlyclaimtoknowis，thattheyhaveneverdoubted;fromwhomwecanlearnnothingbuttheirownindocility;whowouldteachustoscornwhatinthesilenceofourheartsweoughttoadore？
ARTICLES，ANDSCRIPTURE。
Ifyouwillhavereligionpubliclypractisedandpubliclytaught，youmusthaveapowertosaywhatthatreligionwillbe，whichyouwillprotectandencourage;andtodistinguishitbysuchmarksandcharacteristics，asyouinyourwisdomshallthinkfit。AsIsaidbefore，yourdeterminationmaybeunwiseinthisasinothermatters;
butitcannotbeunjust，hard，oroppressive，orcontrarytothelibertyofanyman，orintheleastdegreeexceedingyourprovince。
Itisthereforeasagrievancefairlynoneatall，nothingbutwhatisessentialnotonlytotheorder，buttothelibertyofthewholecommunity。Thepetitionersaresosensibleoftheforceofthesearguments，thattheydoadmitofonesubscription，thatis，totheScripture。IshallnotconsiderhowforciblythisargumentmilitateswiththeirwholeprincipleagainstsubscriptionasanusurpationontherightsofProvidence：Icontentmyselfwithsubmittingtotheconsiderationofthehouse，that，ifthatrulewereonceestablished，itmusthavesomeauthoritytoenforcetheobedience;becauseyouwellknow，alawwithoutasanctionwillberidiculous。Somebodymustsitinjudgmentonhisconformity;hemustjudgeonthecharge;ifhejudges，hemustordainexecution。Thesethingsarenecessaryconsequencesoneoftheother;andthenthisjudgmentisanequalandasuperiorviolationofprivatejudgment;therightofprivatejudgmentisviolatedinamuchgreaterdegreethanitcanbebyanyprevioussubscription。Youcomeroundagaintosubscription，asthebestandeasiestmethod;menmustjudgeofhisdoctrine，andjudgedefinitively;sothateitherhistestisnugatory，ormenmustfirstorlastprescribehispublicinterpretationofit。
PROBLEMOFLEGISLATION。
Itisoneofthefinestproblemsinlegislation，andwhathasoftenengagedmythoughtswhilstIfollowedthatprofession，“Whatthestateoughttotakeuponitselftodirectbythepublicwisdom，andwhatitoughttoleave，withaslittleinterferenceaspossible，toindividualdiscretion。”Nothing，certainly，canbelaiddownonthesubjectthatwillnotadmitofexceptions，manypermanent，someoccasional。ButtheclearestlineofdistinctionwhichIcoulddraw，whilstIhadmychalktodrawanyline，wasthis;thatthestateoughttoconfineitselftowhatregardsthestate，orthecreaturesofthestate;——namely，theexteriorestablishmentofitsreligion;itsmagistracy;itsrevenue;itsmilitaryforcebyseaandland;thecorporationsthatowetheirexistencetoitsfiat;inaword，toeverythingthatisTRULYAND
PROPERLYpublic;tothepublicpeace，tothepublicsafety，tothepublicorder，tothepublicprosperity。Initspreventivepoliceitoughttobesparingofitsefforts，andtoemploymeans，ratherfew，unfrequent，andstrong，thanmanyandfrequent，and，ofcourse，astheymultiplytheirpunypoliticrace，anddwindle，smallandfeeble。
Statesmenwhoknowthemselveswill，withthedignitywhichbelongstowisdom，proceedonlyinthisthesuperiororbandfirstmoveroftheirdutysteadily，vigilantly，severely，courageously：whateverremainswill，inamanner，provideforitself。Butastheydescendfromthestatetoaprovince，fromaprovincetoaparish，andfromaparishtoaprivatehouse，theygoonacceleratedintheirfall。TheyCANNOTdothelowerduty;and，inproportionastheytryit，theywillcertainlyfailinthehigher。Theyoughttoknowthedifferentdepartmentsofthings;
whatbelongstolaws，andwhatmannersalonecanregulate。Tothese，greatpoliticiansmaygivealeaning，buttheycannotgivealaw。
ORDER，LABOUR，ANDPROPERTY。
Totellthepeoplethattheyarerelievedbythedilapidationoftheirpublicestate，isacruelandinsolentimposition。Statesmen，beforetheyvaluedthemselvesonthereliefgiventothepeoplebythedestructionoftheirrevenue，oughtfirsttohavecarefullyattendedtothesolutionofthisproblem：——Whetheritbemoreadvantageoustothepeopletopayconsiderably，andtogaininproportion;ortogainlittleornothing，andtobedisburthenedofallcontribution？Mymindismadeuptodecideinfavourofthefirstproposition。Experienceiswithme，and，Ibelieve，thebestopinionsalso。Tokeepabalancebetweenthepowerofacquisitiononthepartofthesubject，andthedemandsheistoansweronthepartofthestate，isthefundamentalpartoftheskillofatruepolitician。Themeansofacquisitionarepriorintimeandinarrangement。Goodorderisthefoundationofallgoodthings。Tobeenabledtoacquire，thepeople，withoutbeingservile，mustbetractableandobedient。Themagistratemusthavehisreverence，thelawstheirauthority。Thebodyofthepeoplemustnotfindtheprinciplesofnaturalsubordinationbyartrootedoutoftheirminds。Theymustrespectthatpropertyofwhichtheycannotpartake。Theymustlabourtoobtainwhatbylabourcanbeobtained;andwhentheyfind，astheycommonlydo，thesuccessdisproportionedtotheendeavour，theymustbetaughttheirconsolationinthefinalproportionsofeternaljustice。Ofthisconsolationwhoeverdeprivesthem，deadenstheirindustry，andstrikesattherootofallacquisitionasofallconservation。Hethatdoesthisisthecrueloppressor，themercilessenemyofthepoorandwretched;atthesametimethatbyhiswickedspeculationsheexposesthefruitsofsuccessfulindustry，andtheaccumulationsoffortune，totheplunderofthenegligent，thedisappointed，andtheunprosperous。
REGICIDALLEGISLATURE。
Thisstrangelawisnotmadeforatrivialobject，notforasingleport，orforasinglefortress，butforagreatkingdom;forthereligion，themorals，thelaws，theliberties，thelivesandfortunesofmillionsofhumancreatures，whowithouttheirconsent，orthatoftheirlawfulgovernment，are，byanarbitraryactofthisregicideandhomicidegovernment，whichtheycallalaw，incorporatedintotheirtyranny。
Inotherwords，theirwillisthelaw，notonlyathome，butastotheconcernsofeverynation。Whohasmadethatlawbuttheregiciderepublicitself，whoselaws，likethoseoftheMedesandPersians，theycannotalterorabrogate，orevensomuchastakeintoconsideration？
Withouttheleastceremonyorcompliment，theyhavesentoutoftheworldwholesetsoflawsandlawgivers。Theyhavesweptawaytheveryconstitutionsunderwhichthelegislatorsacted，andthelawsweremade。
Eventhefundamentalsacredrightsofmantheyhavenotscrupledtoprofane。Theyhavesetthisholycodeatnaughtwithignominyandscorn。
Thustheytreatalltheirdomesticlawsandconstitutions，andevenwhattheyhadconsideredasalawofnature;butwhatevertheyhaveputtheirsealonforthepurposesoftheirambition，andtheruinoftheirneighbours，thisaloneisinvulnerable，impassible，immortal。Assumingtobemastersofeverythinghumananddivine，here，andherealone，itseemstheyarelimited，“coopedandcabinedin;“andthisomnipotentlegislaturefindsitselfwhollywithoutthepowerofexercisingitsfavouriteattribute，theloveofpeace。Inotherwords，theyarepowerfultousurp，impotenttorestore;andequallybytheirpowerandtheirimpotencetheyaggrandizethemselves，andweakenandimpoverishyouandallothernations。
GOVERNMENTNOTTOBERASHLYCENSURED。
ThePURPOSEforwhichtheabusesofgovernmentarebroughtintoview，formsaverymaterialconsiderationinthemodeoftreatingthem。Thecomplaintsofafriendarethingsverydifferentfromtheinvectivesofanenemy。ThechargeofabusesonthelatemonarchyofFrancewasnotintendedtoleadtoitsreformation，buttojustifyitsdestruction。
They，whohaverakedintoallhistoryforthefaultsofkings，andwhohaveaggravatedeveryfaulttheyhavefound，haveactedconsistently;
becausetheyactedasenemies。Nomancanbeafriendtoatemperedmonarchywhobearsadecidedhatredtomonarchyitself。He，whoatthepresenttime，isfavourable，orevenfair，tothatsystem，mustacttowardsitastowardsafriendwithfrailties，whoisundertheprosecutionofimplacablefoes。Ithinkitaduty，inthatcase，nottoinflamethepublicmindagainsttheobnoxiouspersonbyanyexaggerationofhisfaults。Itisourdutyrathertopalliatehiserrorsanddefects，ortocastthemintotheshade，andindustriouslytobringforwardanygoodqualitiesthathemayhappentopossess。Butwhenthemanistobeamended，andbyamendmenttobepreserved，thenthelineofdutytakesanotherdirection。Whenhissafetyiseffectuallyprovidedfor，itthenbecomestheofficeofafriendtourgehisfaultsandviceswithalltheenergyofenlightenedaffection，topaintthemintheirmostvividcolours，andtobringthemoralpatienttoabetterhabit。ThusIthinkwithregardtoindividuals;thusIthinkwithregardtoancientandrespectedgovernmentsandordersofmen。Aspiritofreformationisnevermoreconsistentwithitselfthanwhenitrefusestoberenderedthemeansofdestruction。
